Cage fighting billed at Eastwood

By Greg Gulas

The International Fighting and Boxing League is returning to the area.

NILES — The International Fighting and Boxing League returns MMA to the area Saturday night when Buffalo Wild Wings teams with the IFBL to present “IFBL Fight Night 12” at the Eastwood Field Parking Lot.

“We are the original cage fighting league in the area and we intend to continue the tradition of bringing great mixed martial arts competition to the Mahoning Valley,” Brent Gambrel, IFBL owner said.

“As always, we offer a world title fight and won’t disappoint this time with Jason Riley set to defend his heavyweight belt against Brion Peoples. With four other professional bouts on tap and an amateur undercard featuring up-and-coming area talent, those in attendance will not be disappointed,” he added.

Full contact cage fighting is also known as mixed martial arts/ultimate fighting as seen on the U.F.C. (Ultimate Fight Championship).

Riley, a Columbus native, will meet Peoples, also of Columbus, in the main event with Harris Sarmiento, the former world lightweight champ and cage sensation from Hawaii’s 808 Fight Factory, set for the co-feature.

Sarmiento, of Honolulu, is hoping that this competition will put him back into title contention.

The area is well-represented with Sharon’s Micah Bender set to take on Taewon Howard of Cleveland in a striker showdown.

Veteran IFBL middleweight Brandon Ezzo of Slippery Rock University, an experienced mixed martial arts participant will take on Austintown’s Chris Canale.

Canale, a former national collegiate wrestling champion from Ashland University, is a relative newcomer to the IFBL but no stranger to mixed martial arts competition. He is someone who has shown plenty of promise once inside the cage.

“We’re very happy to have Chris [Canale] on this card. We’ve signed him to a multi-fight deal and if you realize the importance of wrestling in relation to MMA, then you should know this will be an exciting match,” Gambrel stated.

“Ezzo, of wrecking crew jiu-jitsu, is without question a well-rounded and formidable opponent for Canale.”

Doors will open at 5 p.m. with bands set for the 6 p.m. pre-party.

The fights get underway at 8 p.m.

Tickets range from $19-$60 and are available at all area Buffalo Wild Wings Restaurants, the Icehouse Inn in Austintown and the State Street Bar Grille in Girard.

You can also get tickets on-line at www.fightifbl.com.

Further information can also be obtained by calling (330)-647-8610.